Power Electronics

Power Electronics

The power electronics are located in an aluminium housing at the front left of the engine compartment between the combustion engine and the wheel housing. The weight of the module is approx. 31 lbs (14 kg).

The power electronics incorporate various components:
- Pulse inverter (PWR) 288 V DC [- -] 288 V AC
- DC/DC converter, 288 volts -> 12 volts
- Control unit for power electronics
- High-voltage power distributor with fuse for the air conditioning compressor







- Connections for:
- Three-phase alternating current to E-machine (1)
- Direct current (+ and -) to high-voltage battery in rear of vehicle (2)
- High-voltage connection for air-conditioning compressor (3)
- Coolant connections, low-temperature circuit (4)
- Connection for hybrid control (5)
- Low-voltage connections for the 12 V vehicle electrical system (+ potential at screw terminal at top left, ground at top of housing)
- Connection for equipotential bonding (at right of housing, further information on equipotential bonding)

Pulse inverter (PWR)







The direct current from the traction battery must be converted into a three-phase alternating current before it can be used for propulsion in the electric motor. If the electric motor is in generator mode when energy is recuperated during braking, the alternating current generated is converted back into a direct current and then stored in the battery. The pulse inverter is responsible for these two tasks. A maximum of 370 A can be generated momentarily in electro-mechanical mode in contrast to currents between 100 A and 150 A that flow in normal mode.

DC/DC converter

The DC/DC converter reduces the direct current from the 288 V high-voltage battery to 12 volts so that power can be supplied to the auxiliary units and other consumers in the vehicle electrical system and the 12-volt battery can be charged.

The assembly is integrated in the low-temperature circuit of the combustion engine to dissipate the generated heat.